Galen's info

Name: Galen R. Hackman

Address: 18 Springcrest Drive, Akron, Pa 17501

Phone numbers: Home, 717-859-3309; Office, 717-733-1229; Cell, 717-368-4441

Email address: ghackman@ephratabrethren.org


Congregation: Ephrata Church of the Brethren

District: Atlantic Northeast

Education: Bachelor of Theology and Master of Arts in Religion

Year Ordained: 1976

Years of Pastoral Experience: 28

Continuing Education Experiences in the last 5 years: (this is at best a
partial listing)

Turn Around Pastors Summit, Easum, Bandy and Associates, December 2000

Sustaining Long Term Pastorates, Alban Institute, October 2000

Ethics in Ministry Relations, ANE District, February 2002

Where is Jesus Going?, Easum, Bandy and Asso. April, 2002

Faith Formation through Liturgy, Word, Music, Art, Drama, ANE Leadership
Event, November 2002

The Character of Leaders, CCN Leadership Series, January 2003

Developing Leaders, CCN Leadership Series, February 2003

Worship Leadership, Billy Graham Association, June 2003

Equipping Churches Learning Summit, Eastern Conference, United Methodist
Church, February 2004

Small Groups Conference, Willow Creek Association, September 2004

Global Positioning for the Soul, Easum, Bandy and Asso., March 2004

The Bible and Bioethics, Brethren Village Pastor’s Conference, January 2005

Renewing the Church, Reclaiming the Gospel, New Life Ministries, April, 2005

Worship and the Arts, Willow Creek Association, June 2005

Pastors and Leaders Conference, Compassion Intl., August 2005

Leading Multiple Staff, Alban Institute, October 2005

Brief Description of Ministry Context:

The Ephrata Church of the Brethren is a long-standing congregation which
has roots into the Ephrata Cloister and the early Brethren who have
settled the Conestoga valley. After reaching a peak in attendance of
over 500 in the early 1990’s, the congregation entered a period of
significant decline, hitting a low of 365 or so in worship by the end of
2001. The church had a strong heritage of giving and of volunteer
ministry. On this foundation we have been building a ministry
emphasizing lay leadership, spiritual formation, outreach and singleness
of purpose. The congregation has launched a very effective contemporary
worship service in addition to traditional worship, small group
ministry, several support/recovery groups and expanded children’s
ministries resulting in increased attendance and support. As of August
2005, attendance is averaging 450 and income has increased each year.
Additionally, we have seen scores of people rise up to take on
leadership roles in the church.

The town of Ephrata lies in the northern section of Lancaster County,
PA. As such it lies in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country where
Anabaptists have long been present. Ephrata is a town of about 15,000
people in a surrounding community of about 50,000. Population is
increasing and the schools are stable.